Bussiness
Employment Ministry rolls out strategy to create ‘Green Jobs’
The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) has commenced processes towards the implementation of a five-year strategy, aimed at creating decent jobs through the implementation of measures that protect the environment.
The National Green Jobs Strategy, which is being implemented from 2021 to 2025, seeks to support enterprises whose activities help to reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to combatting climate change.
The initiative also forms part of measures being undertaken by the Government towards the achievement of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change targets, which was ratified in 2016.
As part of the implementation process, the MELR in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Monday, held a sensitisation workshop to introduce the Strategy to various stakeholders and solicit for input.
The participants were drawn from the MELR, the National Development Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Trades Union Congress, among other institutions.
The ILO defines Green Jobs as “decent jobs that contribute to preserve or restore the environment, be they in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
According to the ILO, these kinds of jobs increased efficient consumption of energy and raw materials, limited greenhouse gas emissions, minimised waste and contamination, protected and restored ecosystems.
It says an estimated 18 million green jobs are expected to be created if the necessary measures and policies are put in place to support a transition from the traditional jobs to a green economy.
Addressing participants at the workshop, Mr Ernest Berko, the Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the MELR, said the Ministry was keen on creating job opportunities that met decent work standards, hence the development of the Strategy.
“The Strategy has been developed to provide a coordinated framework to ensure policy coherence and inter-sectoral linkages in the implementation of green interventions for job creation,” he said.
He said the Ministry engaged all relevant stakeholders in the drafting of the Strategy, adding that the workshop formed part of measures to involve all relevant bodies in the implementation process.
“After this workshop, the Ministry will trigger the various mechanism and measures that are expected to facilitate implementation for timely achievement of the expected outcomes,” he said.
Participants at the workshop called for continuous engagement with stakeholders throughout the implementation period.
They also called for the integration of the Strategy into the broader National Development agenda to help expedite action on the document. -GNA
Ghana’s gold and minerals sector is set for a major spotlight as Meetings. Co, in partnership with key industry stakeholders, announces the Mining & Minerals Convention 2025, scheduled from August 26-27, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra.
Held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Ghana’s Gold Industry,”‘ the Convention will convene government leaders, regulators, miners, refiners, investors, sustainability partners, innovators, and responsible mining, and global competitiveness,policy experts to explore strategies that position Ghana’s gold industry for long-term growth.
The two-day convention will feature presidential and ministerial keynote addresses, industry thought leadership, technical paper presentations, policy dialogues, fireside chats, exhibitions, and high-level networking sessions.
Convention delegates can anticipate a dynamic and insightful experience, marked by thought leadership from leading policymakers and regulators, in-depth discussions on key topics such as sustainability, ESG, digital gold, and responsible sourcing, as well as valuable opportunities to forge public-private partnerships and investment deals.
Moreover, the event will offer practical action points aimed at unlocking greater economic value for Ghana.
The 2025 edition will be supported by a strong coalition of strategic partners, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, GoldBod, the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF), and the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI).
The Minister for Finance Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that a sum of nine hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Five thousand and Seventy-Three Ghana Cedis (GHS987,965,073.00) from the Consolidated Fund into the District Assembly Common Fund Account, being the first quarter amount due to the DACF.
Furthermore, the Finance Minister informed the House that a total amount of Two Billion, Thirty- Three Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven Ghana Cedis (GHS2,033,469,607) has been disbursed to the National Health Insurance Fund.
While the Ghana Education Trust Fund has also received a total of Two Billion, Seven and Ten Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven Ghana Cedis (GHS2,710,227,947.00) for the months January, February, March and April,2025.
The Finance Minister disclosed this in his statement to Parliament on the payments to statutory funds on the floor of the House.
In addition, he cautioned that the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund is required to ensure that 80% of this amount is transferred directly to the Assemblies without fail and expenditure returns submitted to the Ministry of Finance before subsequent releases will be made.
He added that Members are encouraged to monitor the utilization of these amounts sent to their respective Assemblies in line with the approved guidelines by Cabinet.
In his closing remark, Ato Forson said he’s going to take the concerns of the House seriously.
For his part, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga made known the President’s prioritization of women in the country stating that President Mahama is “Pro-women”.
This is due to the fact that women are going to be the core beneficiaries from the expenditures going to be made by the MMDA’s, he added.
The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the Finance Minister why road contractors have not been paid for more than five months. He said the Minister must not be applauded for since the allocation of these funds were long overdue.
